CIFATIL-Starter

Background

Tilapia farming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in aquaculture worldwide. However, the nursery phase remains a bottleneck due to high mortality rates, slow growth, and susceptibility to disease. Conventional feeds often fail to meet the precise nutritional requirements of tilapia fry, leading to poor feed conversion ratios and uneven growth. The present invention relates to a specialized aquaculture feed formulation designed for the nursery phase of tilapia (Oreochromis spp.). Presently, commercial nursery feed is available in the market for tilapia seed rearing, however, the quality is not guaranteed and the price is prohibitive (Rs. 150 to Rs 300/- per Kg). CIFATIL-Starter can be applied across commercial tilapia hatcheries, small-scale nurseries, and integrated aquaculture systems. Its formulation is adaptable to both intensive and semi-intensive farming practices, making it a versatile solution for global tilapia producers. The main advantages are: Improved survival rates of tilapia fry in the nursery phase, faster and more uniform growth that reduces grading requirements, enhanced feed conversion efficiency, lowering production costs.

CIFATIL-Starter can be applied across commercial tilapia hatcheries, small-scale nurseries, and integrated aquaculture systems. Its formulation is adaptable to both intensive and semi-intensive farming practices, making it a versatile solution for global tilapia producers.

Technology Details

The product, branded as CIFATIL-Starter, addresses the critical nutritional and survival challenges encountered during the early developmental stages of tilapia fry and fingerlings production. The invention provides a nutritionally balanced, highly digestible starter feed tailored to the metabolic needs of tilapia fry. CIFATIL-Starter is characterized by high-quality fish and plant proteins to support rapid tissue development, inclusion of fish oil containing omega-3 and omega-6 for improved immunity and stress tolerance, uniform particle size ensuring easy ingestion and minimal feed wastage. Further it contains additives viz. probiotics, vitamins, and minerals to enhance gut health and disease resistance. It has also water stability that prevents rapid disintegration, reducing water pollution and maintaining nursery hygiene. The main advantages are: Improved survival rates of tilapia fry in the nursery phase, faster and more uniform growth that reduces grading requirements, enhanced feed conversion efficiency, lowering production costs.